TELLING STORIES WITH PHOTOGRAPHS Learning about Photo Essays and Project Planning

A joint project of The Language Project and PhotoForward 8:30 am 15:00pm PREPARATION IN ADVANCE: WHAT IS A PHOTO ESSAY? A week before the program begins, provide participants with the handout: What is a Photo Essay? Participants will be asked to read the definition of a Photo Essay on the handout and search on the Internet for an example of a photo essay to share with the group during the first session.

SESSION ONE: CHOOSING OUR STORIES AND PLANNING OUR PROJECTS Supplies Needed: iMac Computer Cameras, batteries, memory cards, Card reader Whiteboard, markers, eraser Watch or timer Worksheets One copy of the lesson plan for each of the teachers Pencils/pens for the students Books for them to lean on Lunch (to be ordered in advance) Stools Welcome and Introduction: (5 Minutes) Upstairs - Yaxengly Greet the participants and explain the goals and activities for this program. Print a timeline lesson and hang on the wall and check off each step the lesson as it is complete Activity 1: What is a Photo Essay? (90 minutes) Upstairs - Yaxengly Ask a volunteer to read the definition of the Photo Essay to the group. Ask one or two participants to explain in their own words what they learned about photo essays through their research. Lee will write down important words or phrases from the conversation. View some of the participants Photo Essay samples and ask the following questions:

o What do you see in this photo essay? (Before we talk about the story, lets ask the students to describe specific objects, actions, uses of light, and expressions that they see in the images.) o What feelings do you see in the photos? o What feelings do you feel when you look at this photo essay? o Who, what, when, where, why (and sometimes how?) o What story is the photographer telling? o What did you learn from this photo essay? o What questions do you have for the photographer about this photo essay? Is there anything that you would like to know about what is shown in the photos or how the photographs were made? (the photographer should write down the answers and give his responses after all the questions are asked.) As a group, identify the important parts of a Photo Essay (including the following): It focuses on a specific subject It has as a theme It tells a story The photos have a relationship to each other The story inspires an emotion in the photographer and viewer (Anger, Joy, Fear, Hurt, Excitement) The collection teaches the viewer something about the subject Start with big subject and end with small story (1 or 2 sample) What does a photographer need to think about when choosing a theme for the photo essay? 1. You should care about it 2. You should have an opinion about it 3. It should make you feel something 4. Your photographs should tell us: who, what, when, where, why (and sometimes how) 5. MOST IMPORTANT: Think first, and then take the picture!

Activity 2: How to make a photo essay Practice Shoot (180 minutes) Upstairs Leehue Introduce the Practice Subject (Mekong River) and handout the worksheet Practice Essay Project asks students to work with a partner for 10 minutes. After they have finished, ask them to tell the group what they wrote and ask the following questions: o What theme do you want to tell a story about? o What does it mean to you? (What is your opinion?) o Tell me two words that describe your theme. o What three photos would you like to take? 2

Ask each pair to share their results with the group and discuss if/how their shots help to tell their story. Provide feedback and guidance. Distribute one camera for each pair of participants and ask them to take at least 20 photos that tell the story of their theme. Take them out for the photo shoot and make suggestions and provide support as needed. They will have 40 minutes to take pictures. Return to My Library and upload photos. Each pair should select 5 photos that that they feel best represent their story. In the computer room.(15 minutes) After choosing photos we will talk about their 3 idea and student will take note (40 minutes)

-- Break for lunch downstairs. While the participants are eating, we will collect all of the photo essays and put them onto one computer (Shared your 3 idea with carol and staff at lunch) After Lunch : View student photo Essay for today : Lee and Yaxengly will ask question: (90 minutes) o What do you see in this photo essay? (Before we talk about the story, lets ask the students to describe specific objects, actions, uses of light, and expressions that they see in the images.) o What feelings do you see in the photos? o What feelings do you feel when you look at this photo essay? o Who, what, when, where, why (and sometimes how?) o What story is the photographer telling? o What did you learn from this photo essay? o What questions do you have for the photographer about this photo essay? Is there anything that you would like to know about what is shown in the photos or how the photographs were made? (the photographer should write down the answers and give his responses after all the questions are asked.) What work? Why? What doesnt work? Why?

Activity 3: Telling Our Own Story Project Proposal (40 minutes) Upstairs - Leehue with help from Yaxengly Explain what a project proposal is: o A project proposal explains what an art project will be and why the artist has decided to create her/his artwork. Distribute the Project Proposal Handout to each participant Give participants 15 minutes to complete their proposal. When they have completed the handout, instruct them to share their proposal with their partner. Partners should ask questions, provide feedback, and help each other improve their proposals. 3

Ask each participant to share their proposal with the whole group and get feedback. Distribute cameras and equipment to each participant Talk about the goals for Session 2 the following Saturday and offer the participants an opportunity to get additional coaching during the week. Tell the student they has to copy they photo essay to the usb before they come on next Saturday (5-10 photos)

SESSION TWO: SHARING OUR STORIES AND TALKING ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF OUR WORK Welcome and Introduction: (5 Minutes) Greet the participants and review the goals and activities for this program. Collect the photo essays from each participant. Activity 1: What is a Photo Essay? Review (45 minutes) Review the elements of a successful photo essay that we learned about last week. It focuses on a specific subject Opinion It tells a story and answers the questions: who, what, when, where, why The photos have a relationship to each other The story inspires an emotion in the photographer and viewer (Anger, Joy, Fear, Hurt, Excitement) The collection teaches the viewer something about the subject View several (6) Photo Essay samples and ask the following questions: Yaxengly and Lee will take turns leading the following discussions. o What do you see in this photo essay? (Before we talk about the story, lets ask the students to describe specific objects, actions, uses of light, and expressions that they see in the images.) o What feelings do you see in the photos? o What feelings do you feel when you look at this photo essay? o Who, what, when, where, why (and sometimes how?) o What do you think is the story of this collection? o What did you learn from this photo essay? o What emotions, if any, do you feel when you look at this photo essay? o What makes this a successful photo essay? What works? o Would you change anything about this essay? Is there anything that doesnt work? 4

Activity 2: Sharing our Stories and Receiving Feedback (2 hours = 30 minutes per photographer) What does a photographer need to think about when choosing a theme for the photo essay? 6. You should have an opinion about it 7. You should care about it 8. It should make you feel something 9. Your photographs should tell us: who, what, when, where, why (and sometimes how) Invite each participant to share her/his photo essay. Before the photographer explains the story, ask the viewers to look at the photo essay and answer the following questions. Instruct the photographer to take notes during the discussion: Yaxengly and Lee leading the following discussions. (ask the photographer to lead the class then Lee and Yaxeng will be a student and take note) o What do you see in this photo essay? (Before we talk about the story, lets ask the students to describe specific objects, actions, uses of light, and expressions that they see in the images.) o What feelings do you see in the photos? o What feelings do you feel when you look at this photo essay? o Who, what, when, where, why (and sometimes how?) o What story is the photographer telling? o What did you learn from this photo essay? o What questions do you have for the photographer about this photo essay? Is there anything that you would like to know about what is shown in the photos or how the photographs were made? (the photographer should write down the answers and give his responses after all the questions are asked.) Ask the photographer to respond to the feedback and questions that she/he received. Ask the photographer to discuss her/his work using the following questions: o What story is your photo essay trying to tell? o Why did you choose to tell this story? What is your opinion about this subject? o How did you show that opinion in your photo essay? Ask the viewers to give additional feedback: o What makes this a successful photo essay? What works? o Would you change anything about this essay? Is there anything that doesnt work? o Do all of the photos help to tell the story? Are there any photos missing? Conclude the conversation by asking the photographer the following questions: 5

o Did any of the other students feedback surprise you? If so, please share an example. o What feedback did you find helpful? o Do you disagree with any of the suggestions? o Did your project change as you worked on it over the past week? o What do you like best about your photo essay? o What edits, changes, or additional photos will you make before the next two class based on the feedback you received today? Activity 3: Conclusion and Next Steps (10 minutes) Thank the participants for attending and tell them that the final class will be held on the next Saturday Over the next two months, the students should work on their essay and plan to meet as a group (or individually) at least twice. Lee and Yaxengly will provide those dates.) They are also encouraged to meet with each other to give feedback and provide support as well!

SESSION THREE: SHARING OUR STORIES Welcome and Introduction: (5 Minutes) Greet the participants Collect the cameras, equipment, and photo essays from each participant. What have you learned about your photo essay since our last class? o What was the most difficult part of the process? o What did you enjoy the most? o What did you do differently based on the feedback you got from our team? (How was taking pictures different this time than the last time?) Group share and feedback 1. Clarifying questions: a. Tell students to ask questions using the following words. The artist will write down his/her answers but WILL NOT answer out loud until everyone has asked a question. Who? What? When? Where? Why? 2. Warm feedback a. Each member of the group talks about what they like most about the photo essay. They must be specific! (No: its good, I like it, exciting, pretty, beautiful, nice, etc.) 3. Cool feedback 6

a. What we think could be improved b. The feedback should ONLY focus on final improvements: i. Changing the order ii. Looking at 5 additional photos that were not included in the essay and seeing if any of those would be better iii. Making the title more interesting iv. Refining the individual images 4. Conclusion Ask the questions: o How do you feel about the feedback you got today? o How has your photo essay improved since the first class? Remind the student about their progress and the success of their work and encourage them to make the final edits to finish their project. They should feel very proud! ARTIST STATEMENT SHARE: Warm feedback o Each member of the group talks about what they like most about the artist statement. They must be specific! (No: its good, I like it, exciting, pretty, beautiful, nice, etc.) Cool feedback o What we think could be improved

TO DO LIST LEE AND YAXENGLY Due date for final photo essay: photographs AND artist statement Where their work will be displayed How their work will be displayed (size?, mat?, etc.) Contact the artists for next session. We need a list of 6 possible students by this Thursday (November 1) Create a work plan for the next session o Translate worksheets o Create a timeline When do we send out the first worksheet When do they send in their completed worksheets and photo essay suggestions/research? What are some photo essay topics they might want to use? What equipment do we need? Do we need anyone to cover the Library Schedule Refine our lesson plan including how long each activity will take and when we should start and end Who will lead each section of the class Order lunch Etc. 7

TELLING STORIES WITH PHOTOGRAPHS What is a Photo Essay? NAME ___________________________________________________

WHAT IS A PHOTO ESSAY? A Photo Essay is a series of photographs that tells a story and has an emotional impact on the photographer and the viewer. Each individual photo should be able to stand alone as a work of art, but must also contribute to the overall story, theme, and emotions of the essay. A successful Photo Essay teaches us something about the subject and shows us how the photographer sees the world.
INSTRUCTIONS: In preparation for attending the class, log onto the Internet and use the search term photo essay to find examples of photo collections that tell a story. Look at five or more photo essays and choose one to share with the group during the first session. Write the name of the photographer and the title of the essay below and email the link to the essay to Lee at leehue234@yahoo.com

PHOTO ESSAY TITLE _________________________________________________ PHOTOGRAPHERS NAME _____________________________________________

WHY DID YOU SELECT THIS PHOTO ESSAY? HOW DOES THIS PHOTO ESSAY MAKE YOU FEEL? Come with 3 ideas (about what you want to take)

Send your sample of your photo essay to Lee by Thursday before 4:00PM

TELLING STORIES WITH PHOTOGRAPHS SESSION ONE PRACTICE ESSAY PROJECT (WITH A PARTNER)
NAMES_____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Take five minutes and think about what photo essay you and your partner would like to make today based on the subject Mekong River. PHOTO ESSAY TITLE ________________________________________________ 1. What is the theme of your photo essay?

2. What story do you want your photographs to tell?

3. What emotions do you feel when you think about this story? (List at least three.)

4. What do you want the audience to learn from your photo essay?

5. Describe 3 photographs you would like to take for your photo essay: Describe Photo #1: How does Photo #1 tell the story of your photo essay?

Describe Photo #2: How does Photo #2 tell the story of your photo essay? Describe Photo #3: 10

How does Photo #3 tell the story of your photo essay?

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TELLING STORIES WITH PHOTOGRAPHS SESSION ONE INDIVIDUAL PROJECT PROPOSAL

NAME_____________________________________________________________ Take five minutes and think about what photo essay you would like to make over the next week. You can share your ideas with your partner or other students. PHOTO ESSAY TITLE ________________________________________________ 6. What is the theme of your photo essay?

7. What story do you want your photographs to tell?

8. What emotions do you feel when you think about this story? (List at least three.)

9. What do you want the audience to learn from your photo essay?

10. Describe 3 photographs you would like to take for your photo essay: Describe Photo #1: How does Photo #1 tell the story of your photo essay?

Describe Photo #2: How does Photo #2 tell the story of your photo essay?

Describe Photo #3: How does Photo #3 tell the story of your photo essay? 12

TELLING STORIES WITH PHOTOGRAPHS SESSION TWO ARTIST STATEMENT

NAME _____________________________________________________________ PHOTO ESSAY TITLE ________________________________________________ 1. What is the theme of your photo essay?

2. Why did you choose this subject?

3. How does this subject make you feel?

4. What did you learn through the process of making this photo essay?

5. What do you hope the audience will learn when they look at your work?

6. What do you hope the audience will learn about you when they look at your work?

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